Getting ready to meet the bees. BeeFest at Bodnant Garden.
Beekeeping is the most addictive of pastimes. We all suffer from “bee fever”, a strong desire to be with or talk about our bees. There is no cure.
Keeping bees can easily become a lifetime passion!
The active beekeeping season is only from April to September, and we spend the winter months looking forward to next year with the bees, which we know will be our best year ever.
Enjoy your beekeeping!
What do I need to get started?
- Membership of Conwy Beekeepers or your local beekeepers’ association
- Protective clothing. Prices range from £50 for an imported suit from Simon the Beekeeper, £94 for a ventilated suit, to £279 for a Sherriff Apiarist suit, made in the UK.
- The National beehive is the most popular hive in the UK. Thorne’s Bees on a Budget national hive is good value. Order direct or from our local Thorne’s agent C. Wynne Jones, Ruthin.
- Six-frame nucleus of bees, approx £200. The bees will build up into a full colony during the summer, and may get you some honey in year one. We can put you in touch with trusted suppliers of locally-raised nucs. We recommend over-wintered nucs, headed by a queen from the previous year. See our website page Buying and selling nucs of bees and The price of nucs
- Smoker, hive tool and feeder approx £35.
- Later... Honey extractor, honey settling tank and a second hive. No need to buy an extractor straight away. Conwy BK has three communal honey extractor kits, which we loan out to members. Don’t waste your money on junk second-hand galvanized or tin-plated extractors from auction websites, and certainly avoid secondhand beehives from auction websites. You could be buying foul brood diseases.
- Course fee £150
- £500 should get you started.
£500? That sounds a lot.
Yes, the start-up costs are quite high, but the running costs after the first year or two are low. You will be producing honey which you can easily sell at £8 per 454g jar!
See BeeBase for statistics on bee health in the UK, and information on bee diseases. We recommend you register on BeeBase.
When should I get my bees?
We recommend you buy locally raised bees from a trusted beekeeper. We do not recommend buying bees online or from outside our area.
Swarms may be available in May and June; overwintered nucs in May and current year’s nucs in June, or early July. You may get some honey from your bees in the first year. You will never taste better honey!
Don’t buy your first bees at the end of the summer, or you will be responsible for getting them through the winter alive, and with no experience.
Equipment suppliers
- The UK’s largest supplier is E.H.Thorne Lincoln. Their best prices are during their winter sale, especially for second quality frames and hive parts.
- Our local Thorne’s agent is C. Wynne Jones near Ruthin. Well recommended.
Where can I learn how to keep bees?
- Taster Days You can see if bees are for you, before committing to a full course. They do not provide enough information to start with bees straight away.
Two-day courses You should be ready to start with your own bees at the end of the weekend, but you will need help for at least your first year.
See Beekeeping Courses in North Wales 2026 for details of course providers. - Hands-on informal training sessions with the bees at BeesWales site next to Bodnant Welsh Food, April to August, Sunday afternoon, every three or four weeks, led by experienced members of Conwy BK. Protective clothing available for newcomers.
“We always learn so much at the meetings”.
Siting your beehives. We can provide advice on siting your hives.
Support for new beekeepers
- Weekend courses are just the first step to becoming a beekeeper. We urge new members to attend the Conwy Beekeepers’ apiary meetings, until they are confident working with bees. We do not want you to struggle alone with your bees, and then to lose interest and fade away. Why be a stay at home beekeeper?
- Mentoring. We have about 130 members, and we can put you in touch with your nearest beekeeper.
Beekeeping books
- Local libraries, especially Colwyn Bay, have a good selection of bee books, classification 638.1.
- Amazon has a large range of beekeeping books. We recommend The Bee Manual by Adrian and Clare Waring.
- AbeBooks Very large stock of secondhand books on all subjects. Beekeeping book prices are often less than on eBay.
Online resources
- Dave Cushman’s website is full of useful information.
- The Beekeeping Forum is a popular and lively site.
- Beekeeping channels on Youtube
Magazines
- Welsh Beekeeper quarterly magazine, included in your Conwy BK membership.
Local events
We attend local shows and we are always keen to meet potential new beekeepers.
We organise the 700-year old Conwy Seed Fair and Conwy Honey Fair on behalf of Conwy Town Council. You will be amazed at the variety of honey on sale at the Honey Fair!
- Conwy Seed Fair, Thursday 26th March 2026
- Conwy Honey Fair, Saturday 12th September 2026 (moved from Monday 14th September, following the successful Saturday Honey Fair in 2025)
Peter McFadden, Secretary, Conwy Beekeepers
Email secretary@conwybeekeepers.org.uk
Updated November 2025